A thought for Tuesday about simplicity

**cab54** · 04-07-2009, 12:58 PM

After moving toward simplicity and frugality for the past few years, I have struggled with the fact that simple doesn't always equal frugal, and frugal isn't always simple.

I've had to ask myself "what do you want most?"

The answer invariably comes to my head "I want an uncomplicated life, with less 'stuff' and more peace. I want to throw something away for every thing new that comes into the house. I want less shoulds/woulds/coulds, and more time to do what I love."

I want frugality, but mostly because I'm less materialistic than I used to be. I have no desire to be militant frugal. If something makes life more complicated to the point that it is irritating to me, or throws me off balance 'simplicity-speaking', the heck with it. I'm too old for that crap. But more often, simplifying DOES make for frugality, for the most part.

I guess that that puts me about 70% about simplicity, and 30% about frugality.

Where are YOU?

**elphie** · 04-07-2009, 01:34 PM

I'm right there with you Cheryl! I don't do frugal for the sake of frugal. I love the tips and advice I get here at the village because it helps me reach my ultimate goal... inner peace and joy. I wake up each and every day with choices about how I will spend my time (not all of my time but a lot of it) am able to reject a lot of materialstic things. It only takes a few minutes to make laundry detergent and reusing breadbags is in fact easier than remembering to buy zipper bags at the store. Those simple things free up money for me to save or spend on something I hold in higher priority.

But I am in total agreement that when frugality becomes another chore and I find myself doing something just to save a few dollars but it is robbing me of my joy and inner peace then it is time to step back and do something else. If something brings MORE stress instead of alleviating stress then it is not in line with our family goals and I will find another way to save that money that isn't stress inducing.

**Momto2Boyz** · 04-07-2009, 04:14 PM

I think it really depends on how you personally view simplicity. For some people, simplicity means leading an uncomplicated, easy life and for others it means doing things in a simple way. I fall into the last category, where to me, living simply sometimes means more work, and getting back to the way things were done in a simple time and using less technology when it isn't necessary.

I do dishes by hand, bake from scratch, dry my clothes on the line, becuase even though they make my life "harder", I enjoy doing them and they save me money in the long run.

I think it really comes down to finding the right balance of simplicity in your life and really defining it for yourself!

**Michelle** · 04-07-2009, 04:23 PM

I completely understand and agree with you 100%. I will say that now that we are doing better financially, we are able to be less frugal in the name of simplicity. I would have to say that my goals are to be the same as you with the 80% simple living and 20% frugality. I'd say right now I'm at about 60%, 40% respectively.

**mauimagic** · 04-07-2009, 08:18 PM

I agree with all of the ideas from the above posts - right now I feel we are 50 - 50. And this balance is perfect right now. Am sure that it will change and that's okay too!!

**MrsChiles** · 04-07-2009, 11:21 PM

I really enjoyed reading this little post. It was very refreshing. And I am in the same boat. There are some frugal things that sound nice in theory, but I don't do them because they bring me no sense of joy or peace, just feels like another chore on the list sometimes. But then there are other things that I do that many others wouldn't for the same reason. I do really feel that I have kind of eased up on myself in a sense. And MY MY does it feel good!

**phoeny_moonstar** · 04-08-2009, 01:41 AM

I don't know exactly what % my life is at right now. I know that I am trying to crawl out from under my student loan debt and that is making my life a lot simplier. I have to think and re-think about the things I purchase, the things I need to purchase, and what exactly do I need to do in my own home to make MY life easier.

Thanks for the post, btw.

**Siebrie** · 04-08-2009, 04:17 AM

I enjoy the fact that for me being frugal usually means a more simple life.

For instance: we finally bought a car last December (unfrugal, but we kind of needed one). We did some research before we bought it, and made a good price/quality deal, same with the insurance. So far, so good. The problem: it's been involved in 2 accidents. 1 caused by dh (he bumped into a high curb - 600 euros) and 1 caused by a carjacker who stole the car and bumped into a (brandnew!) taxi - 800 euros so far, unsure whether insurance will cover. Lots of worry and costs!

**cab54** · 04-08-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Siebrie

I enjoy the fact that for me being frugal usually means a more simple life.

For instance: we finally bought a car last December (unfrugal, but we kind of needed one). We did some research before we bought it, and made a good price/quality deal, same with the insurance. So far, so good. The problem: it's been involved in 2 accidents. 1 caused by dh (he bumped into a high curb - 600 euros) and 1 caused by a carjacker who stole the car and bumped into a (brandnew!) taxi - 800 euros so far, unsure whether insurance will cover. Lots of worry and costs!

ooooh, Siebrie, that's a pain! There's always something (or somebody) to throw a monkey wrench into your peace. (and wallet)